Job Description
OBJECTIVES OF THE PROGRAMME
A key purpose of the WHO Health System Strengthening Framework for Action is to support the formulation, implementation and evaluation of National Development Plans, Health Sector Strategic Plans and Health for All strategies. It also provides a basis for scaling up health systems and services: addressing bottlenecks in a collaborative, coordinated way, driven by desired health outcomes, to achieve sustainable system-wide effects. For effectiveness, the process must be country-led, based on priorities set out in comprehensive national health plans.
PURPOSE OF THE POSITION
The main purpose of the position is to optimize WHO support in strengthening health systems particularly in the area of Health Financing within the context of Universal Health Coverage (UHC). The position will contribute to high level engagement in policy dialogues, strategic planning and health system reforms, including providing technical expertise and capacity building support on public financial management reforms, national health accounts, and advocacy for investment in health. The major expected outputs are implementation of the health care financing strategy, analysis of health financing policies, rollout of the national health insurance schemes and capacity building programs.
DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES
Reporting to the Coordinator (Strategic Health Policy & Planning), under the overall guidance of the Head of WHO Country Office, and in close collaboration with the respective technical leads in the Regional Office and HQ, the incumbent will provide technical assistance to the Government and especially to the MOH in developing health financing and social health protection policies for universal health coverage. The incumbent will also support coordination among relevant national and international partners in the area of health financing for UHC.
- Provide technical assistance to the Government and especially to the MOH in developing health financing and social health protection policies including the design, implementation and monitoring of innovative health financing initiatives to ensure sustainable and equitable financing for universal health coverage; support the design, implementation and monitoring of health insurance schemes;
- Support the MOH and development partners during the process of transitioning to more integrated and domestic financing, by identifying ways to improve sector-wide working practices including improved public financial management;
- Support the coordination of actors at the country level to ensure harmonized support for health financing that is aligned to country priorities;
- Provide technical support to the MOH in analyzing health financing information and the use of the information for policy dialogue and formulation;
- Support capacity building to the MoH, other key Ministries and/or national institutions involved in Health Financing and Social Health Protection, as per needs and opportunities, favoring joint action and long-term approaches towards ownership and leadership on UHC;
- Support the monitoring of health sector performance including general health financing indicators, and Sustainable Development Goals and universal health coverage indicators;
- Participate actively in coordination mechanisms on health financing and social health protection such as the P4H network, including knowledge management and M&E.
- Perform other duties in Health Financing fields as may be assigned by the supervisor.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Education
Essential:
Advanced university degree (i.e. Master’s Degree level and above) in health economics or health financing from an accredited/recognized institute.
Desirable:
Master’s Degree in Public Health (MPH) or Health Policy, or University Degree in Medicine, Dentistry, Pharmacy or health-related field.
Experience
Essential:
Minimum of seven (7) years of progressively responsible professional experience in the area of economic analysis of health financing systems.
Desirable:
Experience relating to designing health insurance schemes, public financial management, innovative health financing mechanisms. Relevant experience in WHO, or other UN agencies/international organizations.
FUNCTIONAL KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Experience in conducting analytical work with practical implications on the extension of social protection and engaging in partnerships for health development is important. Ability to identify issues, formulate opinions, make conclusions and recommendations. Good analytical (quantitative and qualitative) and writing skills. Working in a multicultural environment. Good team player. Good understanding of UHC concepts and how these can be adapted to low-income countries. Ability to facilitating national experts and international partners’ dialogue in the area of health financing for UHC.
WHO COMPETENCIES
1) Teamwork
2) Respecting and promoting individual and cultural differences
3) Building and promoting partnerships across the organization and beyond
4) Communication
5) Ensuring the effective use of resources
USE OF LANGUAGE SKILLS
Essential: Excellent knowledge of English. Working knowledge of French or another WHO official language would be an asset.
OTHER SKILLS (e.g. IT Skills)
Knowledge of Office software applications.
REMUNERATION
WHO salaries for staff in the Professional category are calculated in US dollars. The remuneration for the above position comprises an annual base salary starting at USD 75,602 (subject to mandatory deductions for pension contributions and health insurance, as applicable), a variable post adjustment, which reflects the cost of living in a particular duty station, and currently amounts to USD 3459 per month for the duty station indicated above. Other benefits include 30 days of annual leave, allowances for dependent family members, home leave, and an education grant for dependent children
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- This vacancy notice may be used to fill other similar positions at the same grade level
- Only candidates under serious consideration will be contacted.
- A written test may be used as a form of screening.
- In the event that your candidature is retained for an interview, you will be required to provide, in advance, a scanned copy of the degree(s)/diploma(s)/certificate(s) required for this position. WHO only considers higher educational qualifications obtained from an institution accredited/recognized in the World Higher Education Database (WHED), a list updated by the International Association of Universities (IAU)/United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). The list can be accessed through the link: http://www.whed.net/. Some professional certificates may not appear in the WHED and will require individual review.
- Any appointment/extension of appointment is subject to WHO Staff Regulations, Staff Rules and Manual.
- Staff members in other duty stations are encouraged to apply.
- For information on WHO’s operations please visit: http://www.who.int.
- WHO is committed to workforce diversity.
- WHO prides itself on a workforce that adheres to the highest ethical and professional standards and that is committed to put the WHO Values Charter into practice.
- WHO has zero tolerance towards sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA), sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct (i.e., discrimination, abuse of authority and harassment). All members of the WHO workforce have a role to play in promoting a safe and respectful workplace and should report to WHO any actual or suspected cases of SEA, sexual harassment and other types of abusive conduct. To ensure that individuals with a substantiated history of SEA, sexual harassment or other types of abusive conduct are not hired by the Organization, WHO will conduct a background verification of final candidates.
- WHO has a smoke-free environment and does not recruit smokers or users of any form of tobacco.
- WHO has a mobility policy which can be found at the following link: http://www.who.int/employment/en/. Candidates appointed to an international post with WHO are subject to mobility and may be assigned to any activity or duty station of the Organization throughout the world.
- Applications from women and from nationals of non and underrepresented Member States are particularly encouraged.